Readers' Letters | The French remember

As we approach Memorial Day, I wish to share my recent experience on Armistice Day in France. My uncle, Jimmie Kelly Coots, was serving on a World War II bomber that crashed April 10, 1944, in Boissy-Maugis, France. A plaque was reported to have been erected in the village honoring the seven crew members who sacrificed their lives.

Unsure whether the plaque still existed, my daughter, Robin, and I visited the village on May 8, 2013, French Armistice Day. We attended a ceremony honoring French and Americans who died in wartime service. We were warmly welcomed by the villagers. It was a lovely experience and one that takes place throughout France annually on this date.

Yes, France remembers! The French honor and appreciate, as do we, the wartime sacrifices of Americans.

JANET HUMMEL

Louisville 40204

Teachers' role

Who was there immediately after the tornado struck? First responders. Who shielded, comforted, and loved the schoolchildren when the twister threatened them? The teachers.

Whose jobs and/or salaries are the first to be cut in a budget crisis? See above!

MARY HINTON

Louisville 40223

Compassionate city?

As I listened to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Sunday, I was struck by his definition of compassion: a concern for the well-being of others.

Seven Counties Services Inc., the local community mental health center, is an organization whose mission and whole reason for existence is to improve the well-being of families and individuals facing mental illness, intellectual and other developmental disabilities, and substance-use disorders. Now this organization, which depends entirely on the public for its funding, has been forced to declare bankruptcy.

How can Louisville lay claim to being a Compassionate City when it allows this fundamental component of its compassionate service system to go bankrupt? Am I the only one who sees a disconnect here?

TIMOTHY HAWLEY

Louisville 40205

An omission

I have read many stories about the bus wreck in Carrollton. One thing that is missing is what happened after the wreck. I happened to live in Carrollton at the time and was retired and I had time on my hands, so I went to the hearing at the courthouse.

The bus was passing a car when the accident happened and there were three people in the car. The lawyer asked one of the passengers what they did after the wreck.

The answer was, "We walked across the interstate and sat on the guard rail and watched it burn." When that answer was given, there was a gasp in the audience. They couldn't believe it. The person said in a few minutes a car came along and a man got out and opened the door.

How many lives would have been saved if they had gone to the back door right after the wreck and let the people out? Sometimes omission is nearly as bad as commission.

MARVIN STEWART

Prospect, Ky. 40059

Tree nursery

I was greatly relieved to read the May 3 news that the Eastern Kentucky tree nursery will be fully restored, after earlier news that the funds for reconstruction might be taken and used for other parts of the state budget. Truly this tree nursery contributes to the health, well-being and future of many Kentuckians. These trees help protect our air and water quality. Furthermore, healthy forests are a part of the natural beauty of our state. The native trees produced by the nursery are the best trees for our native wildlife, and will provide sustainable, reliable wood products for many years. I am very gratified that our governor has chosen to invest in forestry in Kentucky, an investment in our future.

SEAN HOBAN

Louisville 40206

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Readers' Letters | The French remember

As we approach Memorial Day, I wish to share my recent experience on Armistice Day in France. My uncle, Jimmie Kelly Coots, was serving on a World War II bomber that crashed April 10, 1944, in Boissy-